PantherWolfe - Vegas Vice

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

PantherWolfe’s Vegas Vice takes listeners on a wild ride through a classic buddy cop movie from the '80s. The artist interweaves first-rate melodies with interesting synth choices to invoke neon-lit car chases, stealthy surveillance and ever-present danger. As the album unfolds, the artist draws us further and further into the storyline, using his music to create cinematic vignettes that capture the best elements of classic ’80s police action movies.

Atmosphere plays a major role in the success of Vegas Vice. PantherWolfe imbues the music with excitement, tension and a frisson of danger. I can picture the roar of a powerful V8, our two characters moving cautiously with every sense on alert toward their target and their celebration when the case is solved. The artist's ability to transport listeners into his world is something I quite enjoy.

Melody is another strong aspect of Vegas Vice. PantherWolfe creates melodic moments that stir remembrance of every ’80s cop movie I’ve enjoyed in a unique way. He doesn’t go for cliché but wraps his sounds and melodies in constructions that are both well-crafted and fun to hear. I enjoy the full spectrum of emotions he creates from pulse-pounding fear to triumphant success. The overall emotional strength of the melodies enhances the cinematic effect.

As for his synth choices, PantherWolfe has picked a range of sounds that add to the overall feeling of the music. Each track has a well-thought-out palette that deepens the sense of connection for the listener and conveys the mood sought by the artist. The end result is an album that keeps one’s ears pricked for new and different sounds while always keeping engagement high.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Vegas Vice” comes into being as a widely reverberating synth creates a dramatic entrance for flaring notes that arc in with electrifying energy. The main melody snarls as the pounding rhythm accelerates past highway speed. Neon-bright luminosity flickers through the music as the melody invokes high-speed chases down midnight highways, creating cinematic imagery in my mind.

The beat is unrelenting as the clashing drums erupt while the main melody leaps with intense luminosity and the track exudes rousing dynamism. As the propulsive underpinnings hammer, the melody explodes, creating an impression of dogged pursuit and indomitable force, reflecting the characters in the story. Iridescent notes trip as the background swirls and the rhythm lashes out ferociously.

The drums drop away as the tensely twirling tones leap and an accelerating sound cries out. Once again, the main melody speeds through the music with pulse-quickening pace before the track ends.

Heavily heaving bass rumbles with fierce force to commence “Cool Whip.” The active drums cascade as dark piano notes move and the guitar slices with raging strength. A shiny synth flows with energizing incandescence as the drums and bass create massive rhythmic flow.

Raised notes with a computerized sound cry out while the guitar seethes. The base architecture is dense while technological notes wriggle with razor-edged muscle. I feel myself compelled by the edgy reverberations within the music.

The robotic sounds add sharp angles to the more smoothly flowing high notes, exuding flashing light while the crunching synth and piano mingle as the drums cascade and silence falls.

“

Night Glitch” begins as bouncing, threatening bass moves with surging, dangerous notes. A taut sound raises the tension as the drums batter with tempestuous force, accelerating to a blurring speed. The rhythm is fierce and the melody radiates a bone-chilling threat, permeating the music with dire energy.

The drums smash while the sawtoothed synth cuts hard and elevated, writhing notes shiver through the music. The low end shatters against the raging notes that fill me with a sense of impending doom. Once again, the drums crash with ferocity and the elevated notes cry out in fear before the track ends.

Electronic sounds flash to start “Slinky Cool” as the reverberant beat throbs. The main melody is carried on a synth that crackles with galvanic verve, full of a sharp jazziness. Mysterious notes burn with dark intensity before the skipping beat drives forward beneath the melody, which burns with fluorescent brightness. The way the track flies while creating tension is enjoyable to me.

The rhythm is clean and clear, pushing forward as the melody takes on an air of warmth despite its enigmatic nature. A xylophone flickers in a delicate filigree while the stomping low end moves. The main melody adds an energizing pulsation to the kicking drums, which intertwine sharply. As the track progresses, the low end speeds again while a synth solo cascades, imbuing the music with robotic dynamism before the track fades out.

The frolicking melody jumps with angular energy as the broken beat slowly pulses to open “Case Cracker.” The bass rebounds with sharp motion as the drums collide and the main melody reflects the anticipation of breaking a big case. Chord changes add shading while the main melody jumps with growing confidence, filling me with the thrill of the chase.

The drums accelerate as the glowing melody imbues the music with a heightened sense of progress. As the dynamic chords change, the bass floor throbs and the lead synth generates increased anticipation.

The notes become smoother and more gentle before the beat is broken by trickling, cascading sounds that trip past. Digital tones flash before the tom hits move in. Trembling notes vibrate and the lead synth’s bright tones convey a pursuit and its resolution. As the song ends, the melody continues to fill the music with keen confidence before the music stops.

“Dead of Night” starts with a driving underpinning as the percussion collides and a dark tone swells while technological noises add a futuristic element. The elevated synth is silky smooth and peaceful while the beat presses on. As fluttering percussion shifts, tiny sounds echo with robotic precision.

The lead synth has a gently haunting quality as it carries the drifting main melody, wrapping around me with calm precision. The saxophone adds contrasting, reedy sound as gleaming notes levitate and the seething low end contributes a lurking sense of danger. Choppy saxophone and contrastingly fervid notes move above the powerfully surging rhythm.

As the drums flourish, the lead synth drifts with gently sliding sensations. I can imagine our characters creeping through a darkened warehouse, alert to every sound as their hearts race. The track ends with the saxophone crying out and the beat pulsing.

Softly flowing, mysterious tones move to kick off “Glory Guts.” The rhythm is a throbbing heartbeat as a piano moves with gentle elegance while the pounding bass forms an underpinning. The active percussion dances as worshipful sounds in the distance glide and a trumpeting synth trades off with a guitar, creating an exciting sound.

The beat moves with cascading drums as the lead synth gives off a steady glow. A sense of growing resolution moves through the music, drawing me onward. I can picture our two characters coming to a realization of how they can bring the crime spree to an end.

The main melody launches with urgency, the synth keenly slicing while rippling notes tremble. Once again, the drums reverberate and the steady note pulsation forms an interwoven pattern. The revelation of nearly having the case closed flows like a powerful tide through the music. As the scudding rhythm moves along, flaring notes are cut by the fiercely shining guitar and ringing synth before the music ends.

“Winner’s Horizon” starts as a piercingly bright synth carries a victorious fanfare above luminous chords while huge drums rebound. The tightly wound lead synth is joined by massively powerful bass, creating an impression of ultimate triumph. The music is filled with celebratory strength as the detectives reach their goal.

I enjoy the feeling of final success that permeates the music while the main melody exudes exciting brightness. A shining synth fanfare leaps with encouragement and release as staccato notes slice with a sense of achievement, while nasally glittering tones form a cutting pulsation and elevated sounds drift.

The piano adds richness while diamond notes shimmer and the fanfare gleams with ecstatic freedom as the leaping drums charge forward and the track concludes.

Conclusion

Vegas Vice creates its own world as it unfolds and I find myself inexorably drawn into that world. As a fan of the movies to which it pays homage, I deeply enjoy the way it harks back while still sounding fresh and pin-sharp. This is definitely music I can keep listening to and always enjoy.